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Copyright © 1995-2003 
Linda Coffman

Queen Mary 2 — Follow Her Progress

Issue 4 -- April 2003          Floated out with fanfare On March 21 at 6 a.m. (local time) Queen Mary 2 entered open water for the first time as she was floated out from her building dock to a finishing basin at the Alstom Chantiers shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France. That milestone signified the final stages of construction. In days prior to its float out, Cunard observed an age-old shipping tradition. When a sailing ship had its main mast put into its mounting at the bottom of the ship, it was known as the mast stepping. It was considered good luck to place coins under the mast at the stepping. For QM2, two English pounds and a two-euro coin were placed just behind the signal mast above the Bridge. Featuring the grandest suites and staterooms, restaurants, lounges, spa, and first planetarium at sea, the new flagship of Cunard Line will enter service in January 2004. QM2 china by Wedgwood Wedgwood has designed a signature china pattern exclusively for use in the QM2’s top Queens and Princess grill restaurants. The signature QM2 table setting is made from Connaught bone china decorated with borders of platinum and gold. Passengers will have the unique opportunity to purchase the china on board. Waterford Wedgwood plc will provide well over 90,000 pieces of porcelain and glassware for the ship, including china featuring the Cunard logo in gold for the Britannia Restaurant, a unique pattern for the Todd English restaurant, and a special show plate with several accent pieces to complement the main tableware. Among the Waterford glassware supplied will be wine-tasting goblets in a light, contemporary design. Canyon Ranch SpaClub The world-famous Canyon Ranch health resorts, operators of the spa, beauty salon, wellness and fitness facilities aboard QM2, have come up with a fascinating menu of more than 60 rejuvenating spa treatments. Among the unusual offerings is a Mango Sugar Glo body scrub. The 50-minute treatment begins with a light exfoliation, followed by an all-over body polish with a vitamin-enhanced, good-enough-to-eat scrub derived from natural sugars, jojoba esters and beta carotene. The final touch is an ultra-hydrating mango moisturizer that rehydrates dry, delicate skin. The SpaClub will also offer the signature Canyon Stone Massage, an 80-minute treatment. Smooth, rounded basalt stones are heated in water then lubricated with essential oil and applied to the body as an extension of the therapist’s hands. The warmth within the stones penetrates muscle tissue inducing deep relaxation without overheating. The Canyon Ranch SpaClub aboard QM2 occupies 20,000 square feet on two decks and will employ 51 professional staff. Facilities include a 30x15-foot co-ed Thalassotherapy Pool that features airbed recliner lounges, neck fountains, a deluge waterfall, air tub and body massage jet benches. Adjacent to the pool is an extensive Thermal Suite featuring an herbal sauna, Finnish sauna, reflexology basins and an aromatic steam room.

Follow the progress...

• Queen Mary 2, Part 1

• Queen Mary 2, Part 2

• Queen Mary 2, Part 3

• Queen Mary 2, Part 4

• Queen Mary 2, Part 5

• Queen Mary 2, Part 6

• Queen Mary 2, Part 7

• Queen Mary 2, Part 8

• Queen Mary 2, Part 9

• Queen Mary 2, Part 10

• Queen Mary 2, Part 11

• Queen Mary 2, Part 12

Text & images courtesy of Cunard Line & PR Newswire Photo Service

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